Have you experienced a false alarm and are not sure of the cause? To help troubleshoot, determine the type of sensor below to run through some common and uncommon potential causes.
Each sensor has a magnetic gap distance, the maximum distance from the sensor for the magnet to reliably hold the circuit shut. If installed near the edge of that gap the sensor can open more easily, causing false alarms.
Sensors typically have an arrow or other marking identifying where the reed switch is found. The magnet must be centered on that spot. Misalignment will make it easier for false alarms to occur.
Is the door metal?
Metal doors can affect the magnetic gap and sensor signal strength. Try reorienting the sensor and keeping the magnet a bit closer.
Is the Zone Type correct?
Is this supposed to be an entry door? If you enter a door expecting a disarm countdown and the alarm goes off, check to make sure you have that zone programmed as an Entry Exit type.
Most panels can be armed with no entry delay as an option each time you send an arm command (or at the panel). If you accidentally selected No Entry Delay this would be reflected in the Alarm.com history for that arming event.
Is it a temperature controlled environment?
If the sensor is installed in an outdoor/unregulated environment like a garage, barn, shed, etc., it should be an outdoor rated model. A standard indoor sensor will have a variety of potential false alarm/failure causes.
Outdoor rated door window contacts will generally also have a wider magnetic gap, which better allows for the variability that looser doors like those on gates or sheds commonly exhibit.
Each Motion Detector will be designed and tested with a specific mounting height. The manual will indicate how high to mount the detector on the wall. Mounting outside of that parameter may cause unexpected behavior.
Make sure the detector is away from air vents, fans, and drafts.
Do not point the motion detector at windows where sunlight might shine in on the lens.
Make sure it is properly angled per instructions if necessary.
Is the sensitivity high?
Often detectors will have a sensitivity setting which allows you to fine tune its operation a bit. Try lowering the sensitivity.
Is the Zone Type correct?
Motion detectors should use the Interior Follower zone type. This is the zone type that only activates during Away arming.
If you have a 2GIG GC3 with firmware 2.2.0 or later, motion detectors must use Interior with Delay zone type instead, due to an unfixed 2GIG bug.
Do you have pets?
Cats are a significant false alarm hazard for motion detectors. This is due to their tendency to climb up to locations where the motion detector’s pet immunity has a harder time filtering them.
Is the sensor pet immune? Some models of motion detector are not designed for use with pets at all.
Try to keep furniture that pets climb on out of range.
Is it a temperature controlled environment?
If the sensor is installed in an outdoor/unregulated environment like a garage, barn, shed, etc., it should be an outdoor rated model. A standard indoor sensor will have a variety of potential false alarm/failure causes.
Each Glass Break Detector will have a specific range and installation instructions. Please refer to the manual to verify that it is mounted properly.
Avoid mounting it on the same wall as an often used door. Vibration from slamming doors can cause alarms.
Avoid mounting near speakers or an entertainment center.
Basements/utility rooms might contain equipment which rattle, ping, etc., which may trigger certain models of glass break.
Is the sensitivity high?
Some detectors will have a sensitivity setting which allows you to fine tune its operation a bit. Try lowering the sensitivity.
Is the Zone Type correct?
Glass Break detectors are commonly programmed as either interior follows (does not trigger in Stay Mode) or Perimeter (does trigger in Stay Mode) If kitchen activity or other habitation noise is causing false alarms while the system is armed Stay, consider using Interior Follower as the zone type.
Do you have pets?
Dogs are a significant false alarm hazard for glass break detectors. This is due to their tendency to bark and strike hard floors/windows with their claws. If your dog tends to paw at the window and bark, false alarms are likely.
Is it a temperature controlled environment?
If the sensor is installed in an outdoor/unregulated environment like a garage, barn, shed, etc., it should be an outdoor rated model. A standard indoor sensor will have a variety of potential false alarm/failure causes. Garages and outdoor environments are not suited to glass break detectors.
Each Smoke Detector will have specific installation instructions. Please refer to the manual to verify that it is mounted properly.
Battery Level
Low and Intermittently low battery level can cause false triggers
Steam or high humidity
When mounted nearby a source for steam/high humidity (like a bathroom) these dense particles can get into the sensing chamber and cause false triggers.
Bugs/Debris
Similarly, debris in the chamber can cause issues. Seen most often in basements or garages but can happen anywhere. Especially if work has been done to the home (constructions/dry-wall dust, etc.).
One of the great aspects of many smoke detectors is that they have a trouble condition sensor built right in. The LED will light up a specific color and flash every X seconds. This color/flash pattern dictates the issue and can be referenced in the detectors manual.